With the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations consistently on the rise, Montgomery County hospitals are nearing capacity, according to a staff report from FOX 29.

According to health officials, all but two hospitals in the county have already reached capacity. Some have started canceling elective surgery and many have had to divert patients from their emergency rooms in recent days.

“The majority of our hospitals have had to care for patients in the emergency department for substantial periods of time because there were no other staffed beds available in the hospital,” said Montgomery County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Dr. Valerie Arkoosh.

The county announced almost 400 new infections among its residents on Wednesday. The latest data shows that there are currently 362 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in county hospitals. A month ago, there were only 82.

The number of people on a ventilator has also been steadily increasing and currently stands at 43.

Arkoosh said that she is “cautiously hopeful” that the county will continue to see cases plateau which will help hospitals maintain manageable numbers. However she also urged the community to continue taking appropriate actions to help reduce the spread of the virus.

Read more about the hospitals’ capacity at FOX 29 by clicking here.